TM 10-4510-208-13&P
0006 00
Water Supply and Graywater Drain System
All freshwater and graywater hoses used with the shower are fitted with quick disconnect couplings
(QDC) to permit rapid assembly and disassembly of the system.
The proper disposal of liquid waste is necessary to minimize rodent and insect problems and potential
contamination of water supply or surface waters. The safest way to dispose of liquid waste from the
shower is to discharge to or transport it to a wastewater treatment facility.
The shower wastewater will most likely be stored in bladders or tanks on-0site before disposal. Care
should be taken to ensure that spills and leaks do not occur and the wastewater is disposed of properly.
Ensure the piping and fixtures don't leak and site selection will facilitate rapid drainage and minimize
water pooling. Contact the local field preventive medicine unit or field sanitation team to assist in site
selection. If these precautions are ignored, serious environmental and sanitation problems could occur
particularly during extended operations and deployment.
The shower wastewater is not a hazardous waste and contains only soaps and substances washed
from the users bodies. It is considered gray water. Currently, there are no specific regulations
governing gray water generated from the shower. However, if the wastewater from the shower is
disposed of in a surface water anywhere in the United States, a discharge permit is required from the
State or Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In a foreign country the local standards or EPA
standards should be used.
When the use of an existing disposal facility is not an option, use a unit constructed field expedient
wastewater disposal method delineated in FM 21-10 and FM 21-10-1. All disposal methods must
comply with federal, state, and local regulations.
When disposing of liquid waste and wastewater from the shower, the following regulatory information is
essential.
In the United States, rules and regulations for wastewater discharge are established by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (or a State with an EPA approved program) under the National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), established under the Clean Water Act (CWA).
Dischargers must apply for and obtain a site-specific NPDES (or State equivalent) permit or a general
NPDES permit.
Foreign governments will have their respective country's waste disposal guidance for training exercises
or deployments. Coordinate with the installation point of contact or the environmental coordinator in the
foreign country and the country's permitting agency to obtain information on applying for a permit to
discharge. In some instances, it may be applicable to compare EPA discharge standards to those of
the foreign country and apply the more stringent requirements.
To make a QDC connection when caps and plugs are in place, proceed as follows:
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the equipment, use care when connecting
couplings to avoid getting dirt on the coupling mating surfaces or into the
hoses. To prevent leaks and ensure tight connections, ensure gaskets
are installed in all female couplings.
1. Lift the locking arms (1) of the female coupling (2) up and out.
2. Remove the plug (3) from the female coupling (2).
0006 00-36
